Chakyar

Chakyar (also; Cakyar, Chakkiar, Chakiar, etc.) is a Brahmin caste coming under the Ambalavasi community of Hindus in the Kerala state of South India. The women in this caste are calledIllotammas.

They occupy a position in the Hindu Temple in managing the affairs of the temple, though not the actual conduct of ceremonies. They are assigned with the holy temple ritualistic performance called Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam, which is the only surviving ancient Sanskrit theatre in India.

Chakyar is the main actor who performs the ritualistic Koothus and Koodiyattams inside the temple or in Koothambalams. Their women's- Illotammas are not allowed to participate in that. The women roles are done by ladies of Nambiar community called Nangyarammas. Nambiar plays the holy drum Mizhavu.

There were 18 Chakyar families throughout Kerala, but now their number is small. Mani family is one of them. Their place is in North Kerala, Malabar. The greatest Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu exponent, Natyashastra scholar and world renowned Guru, (late)Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar belonged to this family.

Chakyars preferred to associate themselves more with the Ambalavasis than what they considered the unequal status amongst the Namboothris.

Mani Damodara Chakyar ... Mani Damodara Chakyar (Māni Dāmodara Chākyār) (1946–) is a renowned Kutiyattam and Chakyar Koothu artist in Kerala state of south India ... He belongs to the great Mani Chakyar tradition of Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu ... He studied Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam in the traditional way for more than 30 years under the direct guidance of Māni Mādhava Chākyār ...

Sree Ramaswami Temple - Main Festivals ... or bathing the deity, on the last day in the temple tank.Kathakali, Chakyar Koothu, are performed on all days in addition to the temple rituals ... Chakyar Koothu is performed in this temple as a part of rituals ... Mani Chakyar family traditionally holds the right to perform here ...